What is Screenshot

A screenshot is an image of the visual displayed on the screen of a computer, smartphone, TV or other such devices. Usually, the screenshots will be saved in a digital format such as JPG, PNG, etc. It can be taken using the default operating system shortcuts as well as using third-party programs. As per the reports from trusted sources, the origin of the screenshot lies somewhere around the 1960s. Before that, the computer systems were not able to capture the visuals on the monitor.

The emergence of the screenshot took a long path to advance like what we see today. In the initial days of the development, programmers were able to produce a non-graphical screenshot of the display with the text recorded. None of the graphics, images, structure on the screen were not captured. From there, we reached a level where we are even able to record the entire screen for hours continuously, to capture a specific portion of the screen, to screencast a particular window, even to take scrolling screenshots of a whole webpage.

Different operating systems provide different methods to have the picture of the monitor. It is based on the device type and the versions of the OS. For example, in Windows, Microsoft provided a built-in print screen functionality which just copies the entire screen upon a press. The screenshot can be later placed in an image editor program to save it as per the user’s requirements. Like the same, in Android smartphones, the screenshots can be saved just by holding the Power+Volume Down keys together (In most of the modern day smartphones.) To give you a quick look at the methods to take screenshots on different platforms, we listed few below. For a detailed tutorial, click on the respective links.

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How to take screenshots on different platforms

Here are the methods to capture screenshots on different platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, etc. Follow the respective links in order to get into the detailed procedure on each of the platforms listed below.

On Windows

Gadwin PrintScreen: A simple screenshot software which can capture the entire screen, the active window, or a specified area of the Windows. Hotkeys can be used for better image capture.

Greenshot: It is an open-source screen capture software for Windows which is one of the most popular among these.

SnapCrab: It will not only help you to capture your windows screen but also has a bunch of useful tools to easily share it on the social media platforms.

DuckLink Screen Capture: A handy freeware with many screen capture modes including Window mode, Entire screen mode, Scrolling mode, Specific area mode. It is feature rich with a couple more advanced functions.

Snagit: One of the most popular tools from TechSmith which is a simple, powerful screen capture and screen recording software. (Snagit Review)

Screenpresoo: It can also record your Windows screen along with the typical screen capture. You can also edit the screenshots before saving them.

Live Capture: This is one of the most feature rich software for taking screenshots in Windows. It comes with numerous functions such as Magnifier, Color Picker Color Palette, Editor, Ruler all are helpful for outputting beautiful screen images.

PicPick: It is also yet another tool with a lot of functions such as an Image editor, color picker, color palette, pixel ruler, crosshair, protractor, whiteboard, etc.

Screenshot Captor: A typical screenshot application with all the basic functionalities. It can help you to seamlessly manage multiple screenshots at the same time without any problems.

FastStone Capture: It can help you capture almost anything on the desktop including windows, full screen, rectangle regions, freehand-selected regions, objects, and even scrolling windows. It is also very useful in taking the scrolling screenshots of web pages.

Snappy: Another light-weight application which allows to take screenshots of the Windows regions and edit them before saving.

On Mac

Skitch: An Evernote application which can seamlessly integrate with your Evernote account. It is one of the most popular tools to take screenshots on Mac.

Lightshot: A light-weight software with all necessary screen capture options as well as the ability to upload them to the web. You can also grab a short link to the screenshots for sharing them with your friends or somewhere else.

WebClipper: Yet another Evernote creation which integrates into your browser as an extension. You can save the screenshot of almost anything you see on your browser and upload them to your Evernote account.

SharpShooter: A simple screenshot application for Mac with nothing special to notice but has all the basic functionalities.

Ember: A good screenshot software for Mac Osx with an impressive set of features.